1

Dramatis Personae:
Jessica: 17 year-old girl. Aarons girlfriend. Science
nerd. Long, blond hair. Thin and tall. Very persistent
about learning all of the people who died. Wears
glasses, but only in front of Aaron. Super shy, except
with Aaron.
Aaron: 17 year-old guy. Jessicas boyfriend. Doesnt care
about science, but supports Jessica whole-heartedly.
Dark hair, light eyed stereotypical cool guy every girl
wants. Trying to prevent Jessica from figuring out whos
dead.
Maria Lopez:
News person. Single monologue
Tommy:
Dead child. Single monologue.
Amber:
Dead child.
Thomas:
Dead person.
Melanie:
Dead person.

Scene 1
Very loud kaboom sound. JESSICA is laying on the floor in the debris. She
wakes up and looks around.
JESSICA
Wha-What happened? And where is everyone? Aaron?? Where are you?!?!?!
Aaron!?!? Im really scared Aaron!!! This isnt funny!! Are you okay?!?! Aaron?!?!?!?
JESSICA runs off stage to look for more people.

Scene 2
JESSICA runs on stage to find a whole bunch of dead bodies and AARON
standing there looking down at them seemingly unharmed with debris on his shirt
and face.
JESSICA
Aaron! Youre ok!
JESSICA runs over to Aaron and jumps on/hugs him (glomp). AARONs face
shows something other than happiness. Confusion and sadness is present, but he
hides that from JESSICA. AARON speaks very cautiously.
AARON
Jessica. How are you?
JESSICA still does not let go. AARON still has a confused look on his face
suggesting something other than happiness.
JESSICA
Im better now that I know youre ok!
JESSICA is confused by AARONs behavior. He does not seem as excited as
she would expect. She lets go of him.
JESSICA
Whats wrong?
AARON acts surprised by her asking.
AARON
What are you talking about? Im great!
JESSICA
Okay, well now I have to figure out what went wrong! Im going to check the
news for information.
A crackly sounding news video starts.
4

NEWS PERSON
This is Maria Lopez with channel 10, your breaking news leaders. We regret to
inform you that there has been a chemical explosion leaving 20 people and 100s
of animals and wildlife dead. We are live at the scene of the accident. For our
safety, everyone is wearing protective gear. Aw, we found a young couple that
are still holding hands. We apologize for not being able to see the image. Its a
very sad scene, so youre not missing out on much.
The video cuts out.
AARON
Im glad they didnt show that couple.
JESSICA completely ignores what Aaron just said.
JESSICA
We need to go out and figure out who everyone is.
AARON
Why? And how do you expect to do that?
JESSICA
I need to know who died. There are 20 dead, so it wont take very long. Come on,
lets go to my house and start researching.
AARON
I dont think thats such a good idea.
JESSICA
Why not? I need to know what happened! What if it was my lab experiment that
went wrong? I need to know whatever this scientist did and make sure I dont
make the same mistake!
AARON
Why? What is that going to solve?! Everyone out there is still dead! Youre not
going to bring them back!
JESSICA
5

I know Im not going to bring them back, but I am going to make sure that no one
else has to die due to an irresponsible scientific error!
AARON
Then just dont be stupid.
AARON realizes what he just said and has regret on his face.
JESSICA
Youre kidding, right? You did not just actually say Im being stupid? What are you
so angry about?
AARON
Theres just not point!
JESSICA
Of course there is. I can know what he did wrong and make sure it doesnt
happen when I try this experiment.
AARON
Wait, are you actually planning on tying it?!
JESSICA
Yes! Of course! Why wouldnt I?
AARON
Oh, I dont know. Maybe because 18 other people died because of it?
AARON looks scared about saying the incorrect number.
JESSICA
Its actually 20.
AARON
Youre right, Im sorry. I shouldnt have (pause) blown up at you.
AARON starts laughing ridiculously.
JESSICA
6

Aaron! This is no time for joking and nothing to joke about! (pause) But, thats
really funny.
JESSICA starts laughing too. Now theyre both laughing hysterically.
JESSICA (cont.)
Ok, ok, we need to get to work.
AARON
Why? I was having fun.
JESSICA suddenly becomes very serious.
JESSICA
People are dead!
AARON
God! We were having so much fun and you had to kill it with your science. Ugh,
lets just do your stupid research or whatever and get it over with.
JESSICA punches AARON in the arm. AARON grabs his arm and is offended.
JESSICA
Its not stupid!
AARON
Whatever. Lets go do your not stupid experiment.
JESSICA
Yay!

Scene 3
AARON and JESSICA arrive at Jessicas house and discover its empty and
half destroyed. JESSICA gets very scared.
JESSICA
Mom?! Dad?! Sarah?! Where are you guys? Guys?! Are you guys okay?!
JESSICA looks around.
JESSICA (cont.)
Hey Aaron, Im gonna go look out back. Just, stay here. Okay?
AARON
Okay. Just call me if you need anything.
JESSICA
Alright. Be right back!
JESSICA walks offstage. Seconds later JESSICA screams very loudly. She runs
back on stage with her hands over her face. AARON grabs her and hugs her.
AARON
What happened babe?
JESSICA
They-theyre
JESSICA has trouble breathing and is very clearly panicking.
JESSICA (cont.)
Theyre dead! Theyre all over there in the room together and theyre dead!
AARON
Oh my God babe, I shouldve gone to look and not let you go.
JESSICA takes a deep breath and composes herself.
JESSICA
8

Its ok. Im fine. Lets just continue on the experiment. Umm, lets see. What do I
need? Umm...
AARON
Seriously?? I cant believe you sometimes. You just found your entire family dead
and you still want to do a science experiment!
JESSICA
YES!!! I need to know what happened!
AARON
Why does it even-Aaron is cut off by the television.
NEWS PERSON
This is Maria Lopez with channel 10, your breaking news leaders. We are back on
the scene where we have identified 12 of the 20 victims of this terrible accident.
Among the dead is the scientist who was performing the experiment. His name
was Dr. Andrew Peterson. He was 38. Now, I must inform you that our cameras
are working better now so you will be able to see the victims here. Viewer
discretion is strongly advised. I will now list off the 12 identified victims. Andrea
Martinez, 23, Tony Nguyen, 9,
Jafar
Reynell, 33, Nathaniel and Wyatt Johnson, 12
year old twins, Tanner Summers, 34, Stefanie Meyers, 28, Charlie Matheson, 11,
Courtney Clark, 13, Khloe Jeurgens, 13, and we also identified to couple found
holding hands. We will pan over to them. There names are-AARON pushes the power button on the remote very quickly. JESSICA is very
clearly mad.
JESSICA
Aaron!! Now I only know ten of them! I need to know all twelve! Why would you
do something like that!
AARON
You just found your dead sister and parents, so I didnt exactly want you to see
more dead bodies.
JESSICA
9

Aaron! I can handle myself! You may have compromised the entire experiment!
AARON
Im sorry, Jessica.
JESSICA
Turn the tv back on!
AARON reluctantly turns the tv back on.
NEWS PERSON
--high school students. They were both 17. We will update you with information
as we get it. Im Maria Lopez, thank you.
JESSICA
Damnit! I missed it. Whatever, I can still work with this. Ok, Andrea, Tony, Jafar
Nathaniel, Wyatt, Tanner, Stefanie, Charlie, Courtney, Khloe, teen number one,
and teen number two.
AARON
Who are teens one and two?
JESSICA
The young couple. They said that they were seventeen. Seven-TEEN, thats why
theyre teen number 1 and teen number 2.
JESSICA suddenly realizes something.
JESSICA (cont.)
Oh my God..
AARON gets very nervous.
AARON
What?? Whats wrong??
JESSICA
Its about the teens...
10

AARON
What?? What about them???
JESSICA
Its just, we probably knew them.
AARON takes a deep breath and completely relaxes. He grabs JESSICA and
hugs her.
AARON
Im sorry babe. I didnt even think about that. I dont know what to say.
JESSICA
Theres nothing you can say. I just need to get to the bottom of this.
JESSICA gets back to work.
JESSICA (cont.)
Ok, so thats.....12. Plus mom, dad, and Sarah, so thats 15. I just need to find out
who the other 5 are and then Ill be done! Aaron. Lets go to your house.
AARON
What? Why?
JESSICA
I just wanted to see how your family is.
AARON
What are you talking about? You think my family is dead?!
JESSICA
Im just trying to rule out every possibility.
AARON
Dont freak me out like that! Now Im really scared! Lets go, quick!
AARON and JESSICA run off stage. Suddenly there is a loud scream coming
from AARON.
11

Scene 4
AARON walks on stage with JESSICA. She is holding onto his arm.
JESSICA
Im so sorry. At least your moms okay.
AARON
Youre right, and its ok. Now youre further on your experiment. My dad makes a
total of 16. Now we just need to figure out the other 4.
JESSICA
And the 2 teens.
AARON
Right. I know how we can find out who the 2 teens are.
JESSICA
What?! How?
AARON
I know where they are.
JESSICA
How long have you know?!
AARON
Ummmmm...
JESSICA
What??
AARON
The entire time.
JESSICA
WHAT?!?!?!?! Why didnt you tell me?!?!?!?!
AARON
12

Its a really long story. You have to promise not to get mad.
JESSICA
You mean more mad than I already am?
AARON
Yes.
JESSICA
Is it worse than this?
AARON
Much worse.
JESSICA
How can it be worse?
AARON
Well actually, I know who they are too, and thats not even the bad part.
JESSICA
I cant see how this could be any worse.
AARON
Here, look at my phone.
AARON shows JESSICA his phone screen and she gasps. They both speak fast
and panicky. They both look like theyre crying.
JESSICA
No, thats not real.
AARON
Im sorry babe, but it is.
JESSICA
Its not even possible.
AARON
13

It is babe. Its possible and its true.

JESSICA
Is this some kind of sick joke?
AARON
I wish it was.
JESSICA
Were not dead! Its not possible!
AARON
Jessica, its true. Im sorry, I just didnt want to hurt you.
JESSICA
How did you get that picture?
AARON
When I got up I looked down and I guess you didnt.
JESSICA
Take me.
AARON
Take you?
JESSICA
Take me to our bodies.
AARON
I dont think thats such a good idea.
JESSICA
Why not?
AARON
Its harder to see in person, I promise you.
JESSICA
14

I just want to see.

AARON
Okay.
AARON grabs JESSICAs hand and they walk off stage. Moments later
JESSICA screams.

15

Scene 5
JESSICA walks on stage looking nu
mb. AARON is right behind her. JESSICA
speaks almost if she was out of breath.

JESSICA
Ok, so weve figured out 16 of the 20 dead. There are four more.
JESSICA breaks the fourth wall, but stays in character.
JESSICA
Ok, so when people are dead they know stuff they shouldnt know, like a 4 year
old might know the Schrodinger model of the atom. They might be able to tell
you that the Schrodinger model assumes that the electron is a wave and tries to
describe the regions in space, or orbitals, where electrons are most likely to be
found. And that rather than trying to tell us where the electron is at any time,
the Schrodinger model describes the probability that an electron can be found in
a given region of space at a given time. Also, that this model no longer tells us
where the electron is; it only tells us where it might be.
AARON
Did you always know all of that?
JESSICA
I knew most of it, but not that much.
AARON
See, being dead has its perks.
JESSICA glares at him.
JESSICA
Not funny. You really wanna bring this up right now? Whether you like it or not,
youre stuck with me for like, ever.
AARON
Well I could break up with you.
16

JESSICA
Oh, are you going to do that? You wanna break up with me? Fine, do it. I can find
one of the many other dead people. I could go date Abraham Lincoln or George
Washington!
AARON
I get it! And Im not breaking up with you.
JESSICA
Well maybe Ill break up with you.
AARON
And you would have every reason to. But please dont. I love you.
JESSICA
Whatever, lets just go.
AARON
Jessica?
JESSICA
What?
AARON
I love you.
JESSICA
Yea, I know, I love you too. Now lets go!
They both walk off stage.

17

Scene 6
TOMMY is standing onstage. JESSICA and AARON walk on stage. JESSICA is
holding a notebook.
AARON
Look theres a little kid. Lets go see if he knows anything.
JESSICA
OK. I have a super hard chemistry question that a child of his age shouldnt know
that answer to. If he knows, then hes dead.
AARON
Oh, that works too.
JESSICA
What was your idea?
AARON
I was just gonna walk up and say, Hey, my name is Aaron. Are you dead?
JESSICA smacks AARONs arm.
JESSICA
Youre going to scare the poor little kid.
AARON
Well why should he care about intermolecular forces of attraction?
JESSICA
Whatever, lets just go talk to him.
AARON and JESSICA walk up to TOMMY.
AARON
Hey little boy. Whats your name?
TOMMY
My names Tommy.
18

JESSICA
Hi Tommy.
AARON
Hi Tommy. Are you dead?
TOMMY
What?
JESSICA
Aaron! Thats not what we agreed on!
TOMMY
Im really confused.
JESSICA
Im sorry Tommy. Its just my meanie boyfriend. Anyways, can I ask you a
question please? Its for a science experiment.
TOMMY
Ok.
JESSICA
Can you tell me what you know about intermolecular forces of attraction?
TOMMY begins to speak in monotone, almost like a robot.
TOMMY
Intermolecular forces are forces of attraction or repulsion which act between
neighboring particles such as atoms, molecules, or ions. They are weak compared
to the
intramolecular forces
, the forces which keep molecules together. For
example, the
covalent bond
, involving the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms, is much stronger than the forces present between the neighboring
molecules. They are the essential parts of
force fields
frequently used in
molecular mechanics
-JESSICA
19

Thank you Tommy, thats enough. Can you please tell me your full name and
age?
TOMMY
Ok, my names Tommy Green and Im 7 years old.
JESSICA
Thank you Tommy.
JESSICA begins to walk away. TOMMY walks on stage. Sometime during their
argument AMBER walks on stage.
AARON
Hey, why didnt you tell that kid that hes dead.
JESSICA
Its irrelevant. Why does he need to know?
AARON
Because hes dead?!?!
JESSICA
And isnt that bad enough???
AARON
Then you cant be mad at me.
JESSICA
What are you talking about?
AARON
Youre not telling him to protect him, right?
JESSICA
Right.
AARON
Well thats exactly why I didnt tell you right away! So you need to stop being
mad at me unless you wanna go back and tell that kid that hes dead!
20

JESSICA
Keep your voice down! I dont want him to hear you. If I forgive you will you shut
up and drop this??
AARON
Yes.
JESSICA
Good, because I forgave you about an hour ago.
AARON
Jessica!!
JESSICA
What? You never asked if I forgave you, and I do.
AARON
Ugh, ok, whatever.
JESSICA
Look over there! Theres a little girl over there. Lets go talk to her.
JESSICA and AARON walk over to AMBER. She looks very irritated.
JESSICA (cont.)
Hi. My names Jessica.
AARON
And Im Aaron.
AMBER
Hi.
JESSICA
Whats your name?
AMBER
Why?
21

JESSICA
Were conducting a science experiment.
AMBER
What kind of science experiment?
AARON
Were trying to see how much young people know about chemistry.

AMBER
Im not a young person. Im already 12.
AARON turns around and laughs. JESSICA smacks Aarons arm.
AMBER (cont.)
Why are you laughing??
JESSICA
Ignore him. Hes a weirdo.
AMBER laughs.
JESSICA (cont.)
Whats your last name Amber? Its really important.
AMBER
Jeurgens.
JESSICA immediately has a sad look on her face.
AMBER (cont.)
Whats with the look.
JESSICA
Do you have a sister named Khloe?
AMBER
22

Yea. Do you know where she is?

JESSICA
Im not sure. First I need you to answer a chemistry question and then well talk
about that, okay?
AMBER
Whatever.
JESSICA
Can you briefly explain nuclear technology? Like isotopes, the nature of unstable
nuclei, and types of radiation?
AMBER begins speaking in the same monotone voice that Tommy did earlier.
AMBER
I
ons
are
atoms
that are either missing or have extra
electrons
. If an atom is
missing a neutron or has an extra
neutron
, it is called an isotope. An atom is still
the same element if it is missing an electron. The same goes for isotopes. They
are still the same element, they are just a little different from every other atom
of the same element.In unstable nuclei the strong nuclear forces do not generate
enough binding energy to hold the nucleus together permanently. It is unstable
nuclei that are radioactive and are referred to as radioactive nuclei and in the
case of their isotopes called radioisotopes. The unstable nuclei lie above and
below the line of stability in the neutron. Nuclei which lie above the line of
stability contain too many neutrons to be stable. They are referred to as neutron
rich. Those that lie below the line of stability contain too many protons to be
stable and are called proton rich. It is the balance of protons and neutrons in a
nucleus which determines whether a nucleus will be stable or unstable. Too
many neutrons or protons upset this balance disrupting the binding energy from
the strong nuclear forces making the nucleus unstable. An unstable nucleus tries
to achieve a balanced state by given off a neutron or proton and this is done via
radioactive decay. The radiation one typically encounters is one of four types:
alpha radiation, beta radiation, gamma radiation, and x radiation. Neutron
radiation is also encountered in nuclear power plants and high-altitude flight
and emitted from some industrial radioactive sources.
AMBER suddenly snaps back.
23

AMBER
Does that answer your question?
JESSICA
Yes, most definitely.
AMBER
Ok, now wheres my sister.
JESSICA
This is going to be very hard to explain. Just listen to me, okay?
AMBER
Ok. Should I be worried?
JESSICA
Let me just tell you. Do you remember that crazy explosion the other day?
AMBER
Yea, of course.
JESSICA
Well, you died.
AMBER
I know that, but wheres my sister?
AARON
Wait, what do you mean you know that?
AMBER
I already knew I died. Im just trying to find my sister to see if shes dead too.
JESSICA
Im sorry, but she is.
AMBER grabs her face.
AMBER
24

Okay, do you know where she is? Like, her, not her body?

AARON
Yes. Shes at the park over there on the swings.
AMBER
Thank you. Im sorry for being so rude, I was just super worried about her. I love
her so much and I would love to be with her forever, but I just kinda hoped she
was still alive with our parents.
JESSICA
Your parents. Where are they?
AMBER
Oh God! Do you think my parents are dead too???
JESSICA
Im not sure.
AARON
Go over to the park with Khloe. When we find them, well come back and let you
know. We can only bring them to you if theyre dead. If theyre alive, they wont
be able to see you.
AMBER
Okay, please hurry!
AMBER runs off stage. AARON and JESSICA walk off stage in the other
direction.

25

Scene 7
JESSICA and AARON walk on stage and right up to THOMAS and MELANIE.
JESSICA
Mr. and Mrs. Jeurgens?
THOMAS and MELANIE
Yes.
THOMAS
(cont.)
Please, call us Thomas and Melanie.
JESSICA
I need to ask you both some complicated chemistry questions. For a science
experiment.
THOMAS
Thats alright with me. What about you hunny?
MELANIE
Alright.
JESSICA
Great! Well start with you, Melanie. Can you tell me the relative size and
reactivity of an element based on its location on the periodic table?
MELANIEs voice goes monotone like both of the other people who were
asked.
MELAINE
The atomic size or radius reduces, and the effective nuclear charge increases, as
you move from left to right on the periodic table. The solvation energy or
hydration energy increases, the ionization energy and electronegativity trends
decrease as you move down on the periodic table.
JESSICA
Thank you, Melanie. Thomas, can you please explain ionic, covalent, and metallic
bonding?
26

THOMAS becomes monotone like everyone else.

THOMAS
Covalent bonds are bonds between two atoms that share electrons in order to
complete their circle and create stable molecules. Ionic bonds are bonds that
steal electrons from other atoms to complete their circle.
Metallic bonding is the
strong attraction between closely packed positive metal ions and a 'sea' of
delocalised electrons. The attraction between the metal ions and the delocalised
electrons must be overcome to melt or boil a metal.
JESSICA
Thank you so much. I have good news and I have bad news. Ill tell you the bad
news first, otherwise that good news wouldnt make sense.
MELANIE
What is it?
JESSICA
Do you guys remember the explosion that happened the other day?
THOMAS and MELANIE both nod yes.
JESSICA
(cont.)
You both died.
MELANIE
That doesnt even make sense.
AARON
Were dead too. And so are Khloe and Amber.
THOMAS and MELANIE hug each other very tightly and seem to cry.
JESSICA
Wait, but I have good news too. Since were dead, and obviously you can see us,
that means that you can see your daughters too. Theyre both at the park. Ill
take you to them right now.
THOMAS
Lets go!
They all walk off stage together.

27

Scene 8

AMBER and KHLOE are standing on stage. THOMAS and MELANIE run up and
scoop them up. AARON and JESSICA walk on stage and watch them hugging.
MELANIE turns to look at JESSICA and AARON.
MELANIE
Thank you so much.
JESSICA
Of course. Im glad I could help bring your family together.
MELANIE
You really did.
MELANIE turns back to her family.
AARON
I love you Jessica.
JESSICA
I love you too.
AARON and JESSICA kiss, hug, and then hold hands and walk off stage.

28